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Upper Extremity Clinic

Cleveland Clinic Children’s Upper Extremity and Brachial Plexus Program provides collaborative multidisciplinary care for children from birth to age 20 with conditions that result in upper extremity motor dysfunction.

Our goal is to help the child maximize functional use of the affected arm or hand using a variety of therapeutic approaches. Individualized assessments are completed and treatment programs are designed for each child.

Conditions affecting the function of hands and arms may present at birth or may occur later due to injury. At Cleveland Clinic Children's our team can address upper extremity conditions that may have resulted from:

Kinesio taping to facilitate use of weaker muscles and address muscle imbalances, as well as pain and sensory input.

Casts, splints and braces/orthotics to hold the elbow, wrist or hand in certain positions that are more functional or to prevent progression of joint contracture or stiffness that is restricting normal movement.

Medical options

Anti-spasticity medication to relax muscles and increase function.

Botox injections or nerve blocks to weaken selective muscles and allow for the child to further straighten an arm or hand enough to practice functions, such as reaching and grabbing. This allows for functional practice, and it also provides opportunity to strengthen the nerve connections between the muscles and the brain centers that control those muscles.

Surgery options

Tendon lengthening

Tendon transfer

Bone fusion

Nerve graft

Scar tissue removal

Our team has a long history of working with children to maximize upper extremity function. Our collaborative team approach enables us to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that is tailored to meet the needs of each child’s circumstances. Your child's care team may include: